Iowa coach surprised by Greene’s big return

Iowa offensive coordinator Ken O’Keefe knew running back Shonn Greene would be an important part of Iowa’s but had no idea he would put up the numbers he did.

After spending last year at a junior College Greene returned to set a single season Hawkeye rushing mark on his way to being named the Big Ten MVP and the winner of the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back.

O’Keefe says one someone is coming off a complete year off from football, you’re just hoping to get him in shape and get him on the field. He says it was important in Greene’s case as they didn’t have any upperclassmen who were ready to play.

O’Keefe says Greene’s strengths are being able to get yards on his own by running people over, and he can also make people miss. O’Keefe says he can also finish plays, which makes everyone’s job on offense easier.

The Hawkeyes are 8-4 and will take on South Carolina in the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day.